Cartridge dispenser



Dec. 26, 1961 A. G. KIRETA 3,014,618

CARTRIDGE DISPENSER Filed Jan. 6, 1960 INVENTOR Andvw G. Kirai@ ATTORNEYS Stats This linvention relates to lcartridge dispensers of the portable selectively actuated type and is a continuation- 4in-part of my application Serial Number 795,411, led February 25, 1959. The present invention provides several novel variations and improvements over the cartridge dispenser referred to above.

It is Ia primary object of this invention to provide acartridge dispenser for dispensing cartridges to the user whereby all of the cartridges will be in the proper position for loading into a firearm.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cartridge dispenser wherein a selected number of cartridges can be dispensed simultaneously.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cartridge dispenser having a strong and durable operating mechanism with positive, trouble-free operating characteristics.

A further obiect of the invention is to provide a cartridge dispenser having few moving or operating parts so that the same can be simply and inexpensively manufactured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cartridge dispenser which can be easily adapted to receive and dispense cartridges and shells of various calibers and lengths. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following speciiication and drawings wherein like numerals refer to similar parts throughout.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective View of the cartridge dispenser showing the same in its normal operating position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the cartridge dispenser with a partial cross section shown;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the cartridge dispenser;

FlG. 4 shows the parti-al cross section of FIG. 2 during the dispensing operation;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along the line -5 of FIG. 2;

ater

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the cartridge holding plate shown in FEGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5;

' FIG. 8 is a detailed section showing components of the selection mechanism in the engaged or stopped position;

FIG. 9 is a section similar to FIG. S showing the selection mechanism in the disengaged position;

FIG. 10 is a section taken along the line 1tl-1ti of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line 11--11 of FlG. 9.

Basically, the cartridge dispenser comprises a generally rectangular casing or container adapted to slidably receive a vertical plate against the inside of one of its end walls. This plate is removable and has a plurality of vertical channels with -inturned flanges which are adapted to slidably engage the rim at the base of a cartridge or shell case and hold the same in a horizontal position at substantially right angles thereto.

`The parallel channels ot' the removable plate are adapted to hold a plurality of cartridges in separate columns. Small thumb-operated levers are provided at the base of the channel to selectively block the channels to control the number of cartridges dispensedduring the dispensing operation.

A number of diiterent removable plates having chan-` nels of varying dimensions may be provided with the cartridge dispenser so that cartridges of different calibers may be held and dispensed from the device.

The dispensing mechanism comprises upper and lower sliding support members. The lower support member supports the columns of cartridges in the vertical channels and the upper support ymember slides between the lowermost cartridge of each column and the `adjacent cartridge. During the dispensing operation the upper support member acts -to retain `all but the lowermost cartridge in each column of the vertical channels and yat the same time engage the resiliently biased lower support member and move the same out from under the channels allowing the selected num-ber of cartridges to be dispensed from the cartridge dispenser.

Referring in detail to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. l, 2 and 3, the cartridge dispenser is shown to comprise an outer casing 1t) having a bottom door 11 hinged at 12 and held in the closed position by the spring clip 13. The casing has an open top which is closed by a clover 14 of transparent material.

A plurality of cartridges 15 are horizontally disposed in a plurality of vertical columns having their rimmed base portions 16 held in the channels 17 of the removable plate 1S. The channels 17 have inturned ilanges adapted to slidably engage the rimmed bases 16 of the cartridges 15. Consequently, the cartridges 15 are slidably held substantially perpendicular to the removable plate 1S by the channels 17. The size of the channels 17 is designed to permit free sliding movement of the cartridges therein but at the same time prevent the cartridges from drooping from the horizontal to such a degree that the rimmed bases would become jammed in the vertical channels.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the plate 18 may be removed or inserted in the casing 11i by sliding the same in the grooves 19 of the casing side walls. The grooves 19 open at the top of the casing and are of sufficient length to fully receive the plate 1S and at the same time prevent the plate from sliding to a position which would interfere with the operation of the dispensing mechanism. ri`he plate 1S has openings Ztl which allow operation of the selection mechanism as will be explained below.

- The selection mechanism or stop means for controlling the number of cartridges to be dispensed during the dis` pensing operation can be seen by referring to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 8 through 11. The mechanism, generally designated as 2,1, principally comprises a lever 22, a stem 23 and a disk 24. The selection mechanism is actuated by rotation of the lever 22. These levers are adapted to be easily rotated by finger pressure. Integral with the circular portion of the lever 22 is the stem Z3 which is received in a bore 27 in the housing of the casing. Attached to the stem is a disk 24- adapted to engage the lbase of the cartridge 15 and frictionally restrain the same from sliding movement in the channel 17. Extending at Vright angles from the stern 23 at a position therealong immediately behind the disk 2d are a pair of flat lugs or projections 25. These lugs lie in a plane extending parallel to an axis extending through the elongated portion of the lever 22 and are adapted to be received by a horizontal slot 26 in the end wall of the casing. The slot 26 is in communication with the bore 27 in the housing adapted to receive the stem 23. An enlargement 27a of this bore 27 is provided on the inside of the housing to permit rotation of the lugs 25 when the mechanism is in the engaged position as in FIG. 8 and to receive the disk 24 when the mechanism is in the disengaged position as in FIG. 9. Openings 2t) are provided in the removable plate 18 to permit the disks 24 to extend through the same and come into frictional engagement withv the base ofthe cartridges `in -the channels'17. The disk 24 and the openings for the same in the casing and in thev plate 18 are designed to be of a size to accommodate cartridges of the smallest practical caliber to be dispensed from the cartridge dispenser. In all cases the size4 of the disk 24 will be large enough to cover an area of the base greater than that of the cartridge primer cap. AA spring 28 is coiled'around the stem 23 and urges the selection mechanism 21 in `a direction away from the casing 10.

It can now be seen that the cartridge may be stopped or prevented from sliding in the channels 17 by placing the mechanism 21 in the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The disk 24 is forced into frictional engagement with the base of the cartridge and held in this position by the action of the lugs 25 which bind against the rear wall of the enlargement 27a. This wall of the enlargement 27a may be bevelled to allow the pressure of the disk 24 to be varied'against the base of the cartridge. The cartridges can be freed to slide in the channels 17 by rotating the selection mechanism 21 as shown in FIGS. 9 and ll. The lever 22 is rotated 90 degrees until the lugs 25 are in alignment with the slot 26 in the casing. Slot 26 is adapted to receive the lugs 25 permitting the mechanism 21 to be lurged to the disengaged position by the spring 28.

Referring especially to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the dispensing mechanism is shown to principally comprise an upper and lower support means which alternately retain and release the cartridges or shells held in the vertical channels 17.

The upper support generally designated as 29 comprises a one piece structure having a bar 30 transverse to the casing which extends through a slot 31 in one wall 9 of the casing forming the actuating handle 30a. Integral with the bar 30 and depending therefrom are a pair of arms 32. Each of the arms 32 have integral elongated extensions 33 which project at right angles thereto. The extensions 33, wider than the arms 32 and extending outwardly thereof as shown in FIG. 6,` are adapted to slide in parallel horizontal grooves 34 formed along the inside of the casing side walls 8 and 9. The extensions 33 terminating at 35 are shorter in length than the grooves'34. The grooves 34 extend for the length of the casing 10 and permit full sliding movement of the upper support 29. The height of the grooves 34 may be made to permit easy sliding of the upper support 29 and yet prevent the same from freely sliding from one end of the grooves to the other as the cartridge dispenser is tilted rwhen carried by the user.

The lower support means comprise a bar 36 extending transversely -across the casing 10 and which is adapted to slide in a pair of parallel grooves 37. The grooves'37 are in communication with the grooves 34 but are substantially'larger than the same. The grooves'37 commence at 38 which serves as a stop and extend in line with thegrooves 34 and become the insidewvalls of the casing extension39. A spring 40 is housed in the casing extension 39 and biases the bar 36 sliding in the grooves 37 against thek stops38 formed at the inner ends of grooves 37.

The cartridge dispensing operation is as follows:

Initially, the cartridge dispenser is in the position shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 5 with the actuating handle at a position that will not interfere with the loading of the cartridges. A platelS is selected to accommodate the caliber of cartridges desired to be dispensed. The plate 18 is then inserted into the top of the casing10 by sliding the same inthegrooves 19. A desired `number ofl cartridges are then loaded Vinto Vthe ydispenser by placing the rimmed bases 16 ofthe cartridges 15 into sliding enga-gementwith the'vertical channels .17. The top 14 may now be snapped intoplace.

.When it is 'desiredto dispense af selected number of' cartridges the bottom door 11 of the casing 10` is permmitted'to drop open lby releasing vthe same from the spring clip 13 as shown by the dashed lines of FIG. 3. As explained above, movement ofthe cartridges in any of the channels may be stopped or blocked by operation of the selection mechanism 21. In the embodiment shown, the selectionrmechanism 21 is -provided for all of the vertical channels permitting the dispensing mechanism to be actuated without releasing any cartridges. Of course, the cartridge dispenser .would function properly with selection mechanism blocking only two of the channels.

After the thumb levers 22 have been rotated'for the desired number of cartridges to be dispensed, the actuating handle '39a of the upper support 29 is slidably moved in the casing slot 31. The transverse bar 30 -will then slide between the lowermost cartridge in each column and the next cartridge thereby cooperating with the vertical channels in holding the latter cartridges in place. At the same time the ends 35 of the integral extensions 33 sliding in the grooves 34 come into engagement with the lower support bar 36. At this time the lowermost cartridge in each column rests on the bar-36 which prevents these cartridges not blocked by the selection mechanism from downward sliding in the channels 17. Continued application of a force strong-'enough to overcome the spring 40 will produce sliding movement of the bar 36 in the grooves 37. When the bar 36 is moved into the casing extension 39 completely from beneath the rim 16 of the cartridge 15, the selected number of cartridges will be dispensed from the device by the action of gravity. The actuating handle 30a is then returned to the position shown in FIG. l which allows the spring 40 to return the bar 36 to a position against the stops 38. As the handle 30a moves the bar 30 from between the cartridges, the cartridges in the unblocked channels will be permitted to slide by gravity to the position of the lowermost cartridges resting on the bar 36. The cartridge dispenser is now in position for another dispensing operation.

The length of the casing 10 and the extensions 33 of the upper support 29 are such that varying lengths of cartridges and shells may be dispensed from the device.

As the total number of cartridges in the dispenser is decreased, the supply may be replenished by removing the top 14 and inserting the rimmed bases 16 of additional cartridges 15 into sliding engagement with the channels 17 whereby they will slide dow'n to rest on top of the remaining cartridges in the dispenser.

When a right-handed person is using the cartridge dispenser, the same is attached to the belt or pocket on the right side of the user by means of the resilient clips 41 as shown in FIG. 3. The thumb of the right hand is hooked around the actuating handle Sil-aand the fingers are curled down and under the bottom of the casing 10 so that they will receive the dispensed cartridges. When the actuating handle 39a is moved from front to back withy reference to the body of the user to the position of FIG. 4, the selected number of cartridges will drop into the hand of the user .whereby they will be properly oriented for immediate loading into a firearm.

As can be readily seen from the above description and drawing, my invention discloses a novel cartridge dispenser which is simple and rugged in construction with the attendant quality of inexpensive manufacture and which is reliable and trouble free in its mode of operation. The device is readily attached to the clothing of the user and dispenses a selected number of cartridges or shells in a correct position for rapid reloading of a firearm.

While the upper support 29 is shown slidably engageiable with respect to the lower support 36 for accommodating various lengths of cartridges and shells, it is within the scope of the invention to have an integrally connected upper support 29 and lower support 36 by means of the member 33-33 tohandle cartridges of a given length.

It is to beV understood that the embodiments shown are for the purpose of example only and are not to be taken as the sole form of this invention, in that other embodiments and modifications thereof will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cartridge dispenser comprising, in combination, a container having holding means for retaining a vertical column of horizontally disposed cartridges and providing verticalsliding movement of said cartridges in said holding means, said holding means comprising a vertical plate having a vertical channel adapted to slidably grip the bases of said cartridges, upper and lower support means slidably engageable with each other and with the tips and bases, respectively, of said cartridges for alternately supporting and releasing said cartridges, whereby sliding movement of said upper support means in one direction engages the lower support means and slidably moves said lower support means in the same direction.

2. The dispenser as described in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower support means are vertically spaced apart and adapted for sliding movement in parallel horizontal planes, whereby sliding movement of said upper support means in one direction engages the lower support means and slidably moves said lower support means in the same direction.

3. A cartridge dispenser comprising, in combination, a container having holding means for retaining a plurality of vertical columns of horizontally disposed cartridges and providing vertical sliding movement of said cartridges in said holding means, selective stop means at the lower end of each of said Vertical columns for preventing se lected columns of cartridges from being dispensed, upper and lower support means for alternately supporting and releasing said cartridges, said lower support means being disposed below said holding means, said upper support means adapted to slidably move between the lowermost cartridge and the adjacent cartridge of each column, whereby sliding movement of said upper support means in one direction retains all but the lowermost cartridge of each column in said holding means and engages said lower support means and slidably moves said lower support means in the same direction from a position beneath said holding means allowing a selected Ycartridge to be dispensed therefrom.

4. The dispenser as described in claim 3 wherein said lower support means comprise a bar slidably disposed beneath said holding means and having means resiliently biasing it in place and said upper support means comprise a horizontal bar extending through a slot in one side wall of the cartridge dispenser and adapted to slide between the lowermost cartridge of each column and the adjacent cartridge, said horizontal bar having a pair of depending arms integral therewith, said depending arms having integral horizontal extensions adapted to slidably engage said lower support means, whereby sliding movement of said horizontal bar in one direction retains all but the lowermost cartridge of each column in said holding means and slidably moves said horizontal extensions into engagement with said lower support bar moving said lower support bar in the same direction and against said biasing means from a position beneath said holding means, thereby allowing a selected cartridge to be dispensed therefrom.

5. The dispenser as described in claim 3 wherein said holding means for said cartridges comprise a removable plate adapted to be slidably inserted against the inside of one of the end walls of said container, said plate containing a plurality of vertical channels having inturned flanges for slidably gripping the rimmed bases of the cases of said cartridges and supporting said cartridges substantially perpendicular to said channels and parallel to the direction of travel of said upper and lower support means whereby removal of said support means beneath said cartridges will allow them to slide down said channels by the action of gravity.

6. A cartridge dispenser comprising, in combination, a container having holding means for retaining at least one vertical column of horizontally disposed cartridges and providing vertical sliding movement of said cartridges in said holding means, said holding means comprising a vertical plate having a vertical channel adapted to slidably grip the bases of said cartridges, upper and lower support means slidably engageable with each other and with the tips and bases, respectively, of said cartridges for alternately supporting and releasing said cartridges, said lower support means being disposed below said holding means, said upper support means adapted to slidably move between the lowermost cartridge and the adjacent cartridge of said vertical column, whereby sliding movement of said upper support means in one direction retains all but the lowermost cartridge of said column in said holding means and engages said lower support means and slidably moves it in the same direction from a position below said holding means allowing a cartridge to be dispensed therefrom.

7. A cartridge dispenser comprising, in combination, a container having holding means for retaining at least one vertical column of horizontally disposed cartridges by slidably engaging the bases thereof, said holding means adapted to provide vertical sliding movement of said cartridges therein, upper and lower support means slidably engageable with each other and with the tips and bases, respectively, of said cartridges for alternately supporting and releasing said cartridges, said lower support means being disposed below said holding means, said upper support means adapted to slidably move between the lowermost cartridge and the adjacent cartridge of said vertical column to cooperate with said holding means in restraining vertical movement of all but the lowermost cartridge in said vertical column, whereby sliding movement of said upper support means in one direction retains all but the lowermost cartridge of said vertical column in said holding means and engages said lower support means and slidably moves said lower support means in the same direction from a position below said holding means allowing a cartridge to be dispensed therefrom.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 558,057 Ferguson Apr. 14, 1896 564,153 Knight July 14, 1896 2,875,924 Edwards Mar, 3, 1959 2,930,510 Pallissard Mar. 29, 1960 

